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Roles for hacking in ethics

  • Ethics are culturally defined and mutable. Hackers have potential to bring about some cultural change.
  • Programmers are, questionably, among the most powerful profession (like lawyers and politicians). Computers are so important to all aspects of modern life that those who can control computers can shape the modern experience. Think of your own examples (Linux, Microsoft ... Napster ... Google ...).
  • Hackers can take action that can impact the world. Some possibilities:
    • Direct action: target sites, get your message out, change the world
    • Subversion: The next Napster
    • Sweat: Contribute to your favorite open source project
    • Resistance (not futile): Educate employers, media and others about ethical behavior, such as data collection and reporting, licensing and marketing

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